Teachers

Student Group Museum VisitsA field trip to the National Museum of the Marine Corps is designed to be a self-paced, self-guided experience. Although we do not offer individual or group tours, our friendly and knowledgeable docents are stationed at posts throughout the Museum and are trained to provide additional information as requested. Most school groups will need an average of 2-3 hours to fully appreciate all the Museum has to offer.

Scheduling an Educational VisitPardon our Progress! We are excited about the completion of our Final Phase Project, which will complete the Museum from 1976 -2014. We can’t wait for you and your students to see the wonderful new galleries. Unfortunately, the Museum will need to be closed from January 2016 to March 2016 to accommodate this project. The first step to schedule a field trip is to submit a reservation form. Once your reservation form has been processed, you will receive an email confirmation with a Welcome Packet attached. Processing your reservation generally takes 2-3 business days. The Welcome Packet includes directions to the Museum, arrival and parking logistics, pre-visit educational resources, and information on eating at the Mess Hall. Approximately one week before your visit, you will receive a reminder via email from a member of the education staff.

If your group includes Special Needs Visitors (physically, mentally or emotionally challenged), please note that on the reservation form. In this way, we can ensure the highest quality experience for your group.

When you arrive at the Museum, you will be greeted by one of our staff members. Please remember to sign in at the information desk.

Planning Your VisitOrganization, communication, and advance planning guarantee the best possible experience for students as well as for teachers and chaperones. Our school group visit schedule and map is designed to help teachers maximize instructional time and minimize congestion in the Museum. Many teachers have found this to be a useful tool in planning their visit. We ask that teachers divide students into groups of 10 with at least one adult chaperone for each group.

Museum MannersPlease review our “Museum Manners” and watch our Museum Manners video below with your students prior to your visit. It is important that students and chaperones understand our behavior expectations. The following behaviors will not be tolerated: loud talking and shouting; running; misuse of museum artifacts; disrespecting museum staff, group leaders, and chaperones; eating or drinking in the galleries; any inconsiderate actions that disrupt the experience of others.

Questions?If you have urgent questions or concerns about your visit, please contact the Program Assistant for Educational Visits at 571-353-0084 or schedule@marineheritage.org or The Education Department at 703-784-4464.

Devil Dog Diner Box LunchesDelicious dining is available in the Museum's Devil Dog Diner. If your school group plans on eating in the diner (whether ordering off the menu or pre-ordering box lunches), please call 703-649-2369 to advise the diner on the date/time/ size of your school group. Teachers can also pre-order affordable and nutritious box lunches for their entire group to eat in the diner or to take with them (please contact us at least 5 business days prior to your visit to order). For all other questions about dining options, please contact Nikki Anna at 703-649-2369 or Annan-Naa-Okailey@aramark.com.

Please note that student groups who bring their own bag lunches will NOT be permitted to eat inside the Museum. However, an outdoor picnic area is available next to the playground.

Gallery Guides

Gallery guides are designed for students (grades 6-12) to complete during their visit to the Museum. Guides focus students' attention while reinforcing classroom work and providing teachers with a post-visit assessment tool. (Let us know you are bringing guides with your group and we'll provide clipboards and pencils.)

For Virginia public school teachers, a field trip to the National Museum of the Marine Corps provides excellent opportunities to enhance student understanding of World War II and the Cold War, as outlined in the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL). For specific information about how the Museum relates to a particular SOL, teachers may review the following:

Teaching Trunks Program

Teachers who are unable to bring students to the Museum can arrange for one of our education specialists to deliver "hands on" learning activities to their classroom. Teaching trunk programs include: K-5 Colonial, Revolutionary War, U.S Civil War, World War I, World War II in the Pacific, and Marines in the Cold War. Programs last about an hour and are aligned with the Virginia SOLs. Please contact us at 703.221.8430 or teacher@marineheritage.org . You can also complete the online reservation form to schedule a visit.

Teacher Workshops

The Museum's education department hosts teacher workshops in partnership with Prince William County Public Schools. Developed for elementary, middle and high school social studies teachers, these two-day workshops enrich participants' content knowledge and familiarize teachers with Museum resources. Presenters include authors, historians, and Museum staff members who provide teachers with in-depth historical background and strategies for the classroom. Recent workshops have focused on the role of the Marine Corps in the Revolutionary War, World War I and the Cold War.

Teacher in Residence

The Teacher in Residence serves as a liaison between the Museum and Virginia school teachers. This program is funded by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation in partnership with Prince William County Schools. Responsibilities of this position include: instructing large student groups, assisting students with historical research, designing innovative curriculum for the Museum, training teachers in the effective use of Museum resources, and developing a network of educators to promote the educational mission of the Museum. For more information, please email the current Teacher in Residence.